Durango's Canyon Explodes This July

This Saturday, Durango's Canyon is hosting the Texas Music Explosion of 2008. It is located in Mt. Enterprise and will also feature a fireworks show.

For the full information, visit http://www.durangoscanyon.com/newy2cWeb.pdf

Gregg Holmes promises a Family Friendly event

BancorpSouth's Gregg Holmes joined the Nacogdoches Jaycees a few a years ago and immediately fell into work with Nacogdoches' annual Fourth of July celebration — Freedom Fest.
Holmes, who serves as treasurer for the Jaycees, said festival duties include keeping up with all the money, and ensuring the event is a success.

He said the event will be fun for the whole family, complete with musical entertainment for the adults and inflatable slides and a moon walk for the kids.
Here's a closer look at the Jaycees treasurer:

What is your favorite book, TV show, movie and song? Call of the Wild, CSI-Vegas, The Man from Snowy River, Amarillo by Morning.
What magazines do you read? Field and Stream, DU (Ducks Unlimited) and Waterfowl.
What book are you reading now? None.
Hobbies? Hunting, fishing and spending time with family and friends.
What are your pet peeves? I can't release that information!
Family background? Spouse, kids, etc.? Wife, Misty; son, Landon.
Most influential person(s) in your life? My wife, of course.
Personal goals? To continue to grow professionally, as a husband, and as a father.
Second choice for a career? Why? Hunting and fishing guide — my kind of fun.
If you could sit down to dinner with the four people you admire most, who would they be, and what would you eat? My wife, my son, and my parents. We would eat ribeye steaks, baked potatoes and a salad.
The most common thing people say about me is? I am eager help.


Article and photo taken from The Daily Sentinel, http://www.dailysentinel.com/search/content/news/stories/2008/06/30/misc_profile_0630.html

Film Friendly Nacogdoches

Pictured from left, Donna Maisel, NEDCO vice president; Bruce Partain, Nacogdoches County Chamber President/CEO; Carol Pirie, Texas Film Commission deputy director; State Representative Wayne Christian; Judy McDonald, NEDCO president/CEO; Mayor Roger Van Horn; Shirley Luna, program co-chair; Kim Luna Snyder, Chamber board of directors chair; and Melissa Sanford, Nacogdoches Convention and Visitors Bureau executive director.

Texas Film Commission deputy director Carol Pirie announced Friday, June 27, that Nacogdoches is officially a Texas Film Friendly Community. Only a half dozen communities in Texas have earned the designation, most of them near Austin.

Efforts by Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Bruce R. Partain and NEDCO Vice President Donna Maisel helped Nacogdoches earn the certification. According to Partain, "This was a good example of NEDCO, the Chamber, the City and the Convention and Visitors Bureau working closely together to bring new business to our community."

Nacogdoches had to meet three main criteria to earn this designation:
1) Attendance at a daylong Film Friendly Texas workshop by at least one official community representative, i.e., a member of city government, convention and visitors bureau, chamber of commerce, economic development council, etc.;
2) Passage of Film Guidelines, as approved by the Texas Film Commission; and
3) Inclusion of selected ten locations in the Texas Film Commission's online photo database. The photos often include a series of shots stitched together digitally to make a continuous panorama of around 100 to 180 degrees.

Maisel attended the workshop in January 2008 in Texarkana. She also organized a meeting of regional economic developers - including Texas Forest Country and Texas Forest Trails - after the June 27 Chamber luncheon.

Partain met Carol Pirie during a Save the Railroad event in Palestine in October of 2006. "In the Spring of 2007 Texas Film Commission location manager John Crowley visited Nacogdoches with Laurnie Durisoe, a Californian with East Texas land interests," Partain said. "Laurnie is also very interested in potential film production in East Texas." Partain and CVB director Melissa Sanford showed Nacogdoches locations to Crowley and Durisoe.
"John shot about six locations and later posted them on the Texas Film Commission site," Partain said. "Last month I shot another half dozen locations and sent them to Austin. So we had our required ten locations."

Partain said work continued with City Manager Jim Jeffers and other city staff, including Sarah O'Brien, Main Street Manager, to have the Film Guidelines placed on the June 17 City Commission agenda. The guidelines were passed unanimously.

Find more information about the Texas Film Commission's Film Friendly designation - click here.

Read story by Mystic Matthews, KTRE - Channel 9.

Read article by Michele Marcotte, The Daily Sentinel.

View more photos from the Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce Fourth Friday Luncheon held June 27, 2008.
Shutterfly View Shared Pictures

Cool Concert Benefits Cancer Patients

The Tony-Franklin Foundation has financially assisted cancer patients for 4 years now, and this Saturday you can join their efforts. "Concert in the Cool", put on by Spence Peppard and his band, is a free concert taking place at Oak Grove Baptist Church, where all offerings and donations will benefit cancer patients in Nacogdoches County.

The foundation has already done an outstanding job in the short amount of time it has been around, and is looking forward to many more years of service.

According to Mary from Oak Grove Baptist Church, the Spence Peppard Band is great, and one member is also a comedian.

Spence Peppard and Band

The concert begins at 6:30 pm on June 28, and the church is located at 2603 SE Stallings. If you have any questions about the event, you can contact any of the following:
Mary 569-0756
Dorothy 462-9833
Cathy 371-9187

Big win for big fishing

Todd Castledine, Nacogdoches County Chamber member and professional fishing guide on Lake Sam Rayburn, and fishing partner Brent Broussard recently placed first and won a total of $10,500 in the Bass-N-Bucks Summer Series tournament.

Visit Castledine's chamber member listing online.

According to an article by Patty Lenderman of The Lakecaster, Bass N Bucks held their Summer Series kick-off June 21 at the Umphrey Family Pavilion on Sam Rayburn. It was a jam-packed weekend of events, with large tournaments on all of our area lakes. Despite all of the other events going on, this was one of the largest Bass N Bucks Summer Series events yet! It was a combination tournament, the first for the 2008 East Texas Summer Series combined with the fourth event in the Conroe Series. Todd Castledine and Brent Broussard dominated the pack weighing in more than 27 pounds. Click here to read article.

Pictured are the Top 3 Teams - from left, Brent Broussard and Todd Castledine, Ryan Pinkston and Jonathan Garrie and Kendall Wleczyk.
Photo by Patty Lenderman of The Lakecaster.

East Texas gets MUDDY

Come out to the Nacogdoches Expo Center Friday June 27 & Saturday June 28 for some muddy fun at the Great Texas Mud Race! See ATVs race in an action-packed, mud-slingin two-night event!

Photos courtesy of Teammotorjam.com

Get advance tickets at Baskins or Ross Motorsports.

The races start at 8:00 p.m. Admission is $12 adult, $6 senior/student/youth
For more information please call 936-564-0849 or visit teammotorjam.com

Nacogdoches may attract Hollywood as a film-friendly town

Pictured is Carol Pirie.

The “Oldest Town in Texas” is expected to be named Film Friendly by the Texas Film Commission.

Carol Pirie, deputy directory with the Texas Film Commission, will explain what the designation means for the local economy at the Nacogdoches County Chamber Fourth Friday Luncheon, noon to 1 p.m., Friday, June 27, at The Fredonia Hotel & Convention Center.

“Film companies often spend hundreds of thousands of dollars in the communities where they shoot films, commercials and other productions,” said Chamber President / C.E.O. Bruce Partain. “Living in Nacogdoches, we know and appreciate our county’s scenery and landmarks, but as a recognized Film Friendly community, we have the potential to attract the eyes of Hollywood and other production companies.”

According to Pirie, whether it is a two-day television commercial or a two-month feature film, the Texas Film Commission would like Nacogdoches to be prepared to welcome filmmakers in a way that will benefit residents and businesses.

Pirie joined the Film Commission in 1987, and has been on the job through four governors, ten legislative sessions, 20 Oscar parties and the making of more than 1,600 film and television projects within Texas’ borders. She manages the Film Commission’s new Film Friendly Texas program, presenting state-wide workshops for rural communities on making the best of opportunities for on-location filming.

Pirie is a fifth-generation Texan. She arrived in Austin in 1973, and she is “forever convinced that she has the best job in Texas.”

The Texas Film Commission is an office of the Governor Rick Perry and has been assisting filmmakers and promoting Texas for more than 35 years. With its beautiful, diverse locations and its experienced crew bases, Texas has remained a competitive destination for hundreds of film and television productions. In addition to film, the Texas Film Commission has begun supporting the Texas video game community and raising its visibility as a viable market. The commission is working to increase Texas' competitive position among all media industries in the state.

RSVP for the Chamber Fourth Friday Luncheon by completing and returning a registration form found at www.nacogodches.org, or call 560-5533. Lunch is $15 at the door, or save $2 by paying at the Chamber office, 2516 North St., by June 26.

Bring a business card for a chance to win $50. In addition, all Chamber members are entered in a $250 drawing, but you must be present to win. Both drawings are sponsored by First Bank & Trust East Texas.

Scare on the Square Plans Underway!

Organizers of Scare on the Square, an annual Halloween Carnival that brings ghosts, ghouls, and tons of fun to the historic brick streets of downtown Nacogdoches, are already planning this year’s event. The event is set for October 25th this year and expects a crowd of more than 8,000 attendees.

Main Street is currently seeking Halloween or haunted props that can be added to enhance the crowd favorite haunted house. If you or someone you know would like to donate new or barely used items to Scare on the Square please contact Main Street Manager Sarah O’Brien at 936-559-2573 or send her an email at obriens@ci.nacogdoches.tx.us .

The Nacogdoches Main Street Program, who is always on the look out for volunteers, annually presents Scare on the Square. To get involved in the planning process or to volunteer for Scare on the Square or any of Main Street’s other events call Main Street Manager Sarah O’Brien at 936-559-2573 or send her an email at obriens@ci.nacogdoches.tx.us


Above: Scare on the Square planning committee already hard at work.
(counter clockwise from bottom right)
Gerry Larabee, Heart of Texas
Lindsey Warner, Regions Bank
Ron Johnson, Sudden Link
Ashleigh Endicott, Nacogdoches CVB
Linda Glicrease, CBTx
Stacy Dicks, Bethany Home Health
Jo Ann Jones, SFASU Early Childhood
Sarah O'Brien, Main Street Manager

Contributed Photo.

Ribbon Cutting- VIP Cleaners

The Daily Sentinel recently attended a Nacogdoches County Chamber ribbon cutting for the new VIP Cleaners located at 4515 North Street, Suite 1, Nacogdoches, Tex. (936)560-2300.

Owners Randy and Stephanie Porter, pictured below, welcomed sponsors, Chamber members and guests.

Photos by Kayli Steger

Texas Blueberry Festival News

Find blue buzz about the 19th Annual Texas Blueberry Festival:

The Daily Sentinel

KTRE - Channel 9

KSWP 90.9 - Prize Wheel Winners

Blueberries are SWEETER than ever!

The Mill Creek Farm reports that blueberries at Saturday's Texas Blueberry Festival will be sweeter than ever.
The berries have been allowed to ripen a few more days than in the past, resulting in a sweeter fruit. Also new will be five pound boxes, as shown by Nacogdoches County Chamber intern Kayli Steger.



The fresh blueberry booth will be located near Mound and Main Streets. Farm manager Henry Sunda says he hopes to deliver up to 12,000 pounds of berries on Saturday through the day.

(Photo by Bruce R. Partain)

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT

Stages on the Square and in Festival Plaza8 a.m.- 4 p.m. Saturday, June 14, 2008 All acts and times subject to change.A very wide range of free entertainment from power pop, to acoustic folk guitar to virtuoso foot stomping, on three stages in downtown Nacogdoches.

Plaza Principal Stage (Pilar at Pecan Streets)
Featuring Folk and Country

8 - 8:40 a.m.

Jon Hall

Folk
9 - 9:40 a.m.

Brian Harkness

Texas Country
10 - 10:40 a.m.

Cindy Grayson

Folk/Celtic
11 - 11:40 a.m.

The Hipshakers

Americana
12– 12:40 p.m.

Justin Petrea and The Lost Boys

Texas Country
1– 1:40 p.m.

The Evergreens

Americana
2– 2:40 p.m.

Giddyup

Western
3 - 3:40 p.m.

Sonic Shade

Rock N' Roll


Main Street Stage (on the brick streets of El Camino Real)
Featuring Jazz, Blues and Soft Rock

8:20 - 9 a.m.

J.P. Calloway

Americana
9:20 – 10 a.m.

Kyle Worsham

Christian Rock
10:20 – 11 a.m.

Ending Entropy

Christian Rock
11:20 – 12 p.m.

Blake Russell

Acoustic
12:20 – 1 p.m.

Colt Pope

Acoustic
1:20 – 2 p.m.

J.P. Calloway

Smooth 70s
2:20 – 3 p.m.
Los Gallos
Tex-Mex


3:20 - 4 p.m.

open


Contemporary Rock


Festival Plaza - Fredonia Rotary Stage (just south of downtown and Banita Creek)
Featuring Music Mix and Special Performances

8:40 – 9:20 a.m.

James Kerss

Country Gospel
9:40 – 10:15 a.m.

Boys and Girls Club Gymnastics

Tumbling and Gymnastics

10:20 - 10:45 a.m.

Twirlerettes
Twirling
11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Blue Pies Smiling at Me Pie Eating Contest

Competitions for
12 & under - on the hour
Adults -on the half-hour

Enjoy these entertainers performing between Pie Eating contests:

11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Buffalograss

Americana
2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Ally Fuller

Americana Gospel

Check for updates to stage schedules

Sponsored by Brookshire Brothers, Sam's Club, Texas Farm Products, Hayter's Mill Creek Farm, Timber Springs, Cooper Power Systems, Fredonia Hotel, Allcom AT&T Authorized Dealer, Huntington State Bank, Excel Car Wash, University Rental, Wal-Mart

Ribbon Cutting -Aesthetic Concepts

The Daily Sentinel recently attended a Nacogdoches County Chamber ribbon cutting for new business and new Chamber member Aesthetic Concepts in the office of Clifton Thomas, M.D., 3460 N.E. Stallings Dr., (936) 569-1889.

Owner Caroline Hurst, welcomed sponsors, Chamber members and guests.







For more information please contact the Chamber at 560-5533 or visit www.nacogdoches.org

Ribbon Cuttings

To learn about Nacogdoches businesses and show them your support, attend the Ribbon Cuttings sponsored by Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce. Earlier this month Kroger Fuel Center and Aesthetic Concepts welcomed guest to celebrate with them and later this month come to the ribbon cutting for VIP Cleaners, LLC. For location, time and date information contact the Chamber at 936-560-5533 or visit us online at http://www.nacogdoches.org/

Chamber taking nominations for county business excellence awards and Citizen of the Year

The Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce is now accepting nominations for Small Business of the Year, Medium Business of the Year, Large Business of the Year and Citizen of the Year for 2008.

“This year, the public as well as Chamber members are able and encouraged to make nominations,” said Chamber Chairwoman Kim Luna Snyder. “For Citizen of the Year, candidates may deserve recognition for personal achievements and for leadership and community involvement. Businesses are considered for excellence awards based on recent positive economic impact, community involvement and leadership.”

Bright Coop was named 2007 Large Business of the Year. Pictured below, Clem Russell, left, and Charles Bright compare the company’s first wooden coop with the large metal coops in the background.


Nomination forms and a list of past award recipients may be found by visiting http://www.nacogdoches.org/ or contact the Nacogdoches County Chamber office at 936-560-5533.

The deadline to turn in nomination forms to the Chamber will be 3 p.m., June 18. Winners will be announced this fall and awarded at the Chamber's annual banquet on September 30.

Nacogdoches County Chamber recognizes major Texas Blueberry Festival sponsors

Bob Dunn, festival promotions chairman, enjoyed a day of visiting major sponsors of the Texas Blueberry Festival, presented by Brookshire Brothers.



Dunn gives Branch Manager Heidi Lemberger, Sr. Account Manager Lynda Millard and Receptionist Abby Ortega with 1st Choice Personnel the 2008 Texas Blueberry Festival poster, t-shirts and other blueberry treats, thanking them for being Blue Topaz sponsors.


Dunn and Chamber President/CEO Bruce Partain present Texas Blueberry Festival t-shirts, posters and other blueberry items to Wal-Mart Community Relations Director Rebecca Littleton and thank Wal-Mart as a Blue Topaz sponsor.

Brookshire Brothers store managers Shawn Mason, right, and Vincent Smith, center, present a giant Blue Diamond sponsor check to Dunn. Mason manages the South Street store and Smith manages the University Drive store. Brookshire Brothers also sponsors the festival’s Blueberry Pie Contest with gift card prizes of $500, $300 and $150.

Ribbon Cutting-Kroger Fuel Center

The Daily Sentinel recently attended a Nacogdoches County Chamber ribbon cutting for the new Kroger Fuel Center, 1215 North St., (936) 569-8226. http://www.kroger.com/

Manager Cindy Joice, welcomed sponsors, Chamber members and guests.

Bruce Partain, CEO/President of the Nacogdoches Chamber of Commerce.

Photos by Kelly Daniel

Getting Full on Education

The Nacogdoches Extension Office invites you to have fun and get educated with these upcoming events in June...

"Cooking with Herbs"

Wednesday, June 11 at 5:00pm - 6:30 pm. Cost is $5.00 for the meal. Please register for the

program by calling the Extension Office at (936) 560-7711.

"Food Preservation and Drying Workshop"

Wednesday, June 18, 4:30pm - 6:30pm in the Nacogdoches County Courthouse Annex. Light refreshments will be served during the program. Contact the Nacogdoches Extension Office at (936) 560-7711.

"Salsa Anyone?"

A "Salsa Workshop", in partnership with the Farmer's Market will be held on Saturday, June 21, 9:30am and 11:00am at the Nacogdoches County Courthouse Annex. Particpants that purchase produce at the local Nacogdoches Farmer's Market on June 14 or June 21 will receive a free coupon to attend the program. The annex is located southeast of Farmer's Market, across Main Street. Learn how to can high acid foods like tomatoes, pickles and fruits using the boiling water bathe method. Cost is $3.00. To ensure adequate supplies for the program register at the Nacogdoches Extension Office at (936) 560-7711.

Shop Late till eight, downtown the Original Shopping Center

The Nacogdoches Main Street program is looking forward to this week’s First Friday Night event, which returns to the “Oldest Town in Texas” on June 6, 2008. First Friday Nights started last September, and after recently being revamped is sure to provide a relaxing and exciting evening out on the town for shoppers. The First Friday Night of each month, downtown merchants and storeowners stay open late until eight. We encourage everyone to come downtown and bring the family this First Friday night. “We are thrilled to be continuing First Friday Nights,” said Main Street Manager Sarah O’Brien. “It is an opportunity for people of all ages to come enjoy our lovely brick streets and quaint shops in the evening, while also getting the chance to eat dinner or catch a movie.”

We have several new and exciting things going on in June. The Nacogdoches Convention & Visitors Bureau will be open late, offering shoppers a place to pick up a list of participating stores and a place to make a rest stop. Merchants are also going to start offering in store specials, discounts and demonstrations to help entice shoppers to come downtown. This month Nacogdoches Main Street is pleased to announce that Shelley’s Café and Bakery located at 112 N. Church Street will be serving dinner. You can call Shelley’s at 936-564-4100 to make a reservation. Also the Cole Art Center at the Old Opera House at 329 E. Main Street has several events happening. They will have a closing for their short exhibition entitled COOL and COLLECTED at 6 p.m. New to First Friday’s the Art Center will host special viewings of short films every month. This week they will be showing a short film at 7:30 p.m. entitled “Sketches of Frank Gehry” by Sydney Pollack. For more information on any of the Cole Art Center’s events call 936-468-1131.

If you or anyone you know has any questions concerning First Friday Nights feel free to contact Sarah O’Brien at 926-559-2573 or send her an email at obriens@ci.nacogdoches.tx.us.